TWOLER: Kevin Durant ratings 23 in Suns launching

Kevin Durant feels a sense of convenience.

Durant scored 23 points on 10 of 15 shooting in his Suns launching, assisting Phoenix snap the Charlotte Hornets’ five-game winning streak with a wire-to-wire 105-91 triumph on Wednesday night.

Devin Booker scored 37 points and Deandre Ayton had 16 points and 16 rebounds in the Suns’ seventh success in 10 video games. Chris Paul included 11 helps.

Durant, obtained in hit trade with the Brooklyn Nets on Feb. 9, revealed no remaining results from a sprained right knee that kept him out of action for more than 7 weeks. And the 34-year-old star fit in rather flawlessly with his brand-new club, likewise getting 6 rebounds and obstructing 2 shots in 27 minutes.

“I seem like I suit quite well,” Durant stated. “Everybody out there was attempting to make me as comfy as possible. I simply need to keep riding it, man.”

Durant made 2 threes, a flurry of mid-range jumpers and revealed he still has the burst to get to the hole on a driving left-handed layup for his very first basket with the Suns. He likewise offered an increase on defense, obstructing Hornets novice center Mark Williams two times in the opening 5 minutes.

Suns coach Monty Williams stated he does not desire Durant fretting about being a group leader, however rather simply playing.

“I believe there’s a lot of gamers in the NBA that get excessive pressure to lead,” Williams stated. “I simply do not believe it’s essential. It’s my task to lead. The gamers do it in areas, however that’s the something I informed him. I stated, ‘I’m not searching for you to lead. We simply desire you to be yourself and hoop,’ and I believe that’s where he’s the most complimentary to be himself.”

Phoenix (34-29) got in the video game in 4th location in the Western Conference standings, however might be poised for a strong surface with Durant anchoring what has the possible to be an explosive offense.

Durant scored 12 points in the very first half as Phoenix opened a 57-41 lead.

Charlotte cut Phoenix’s result in 6 going into the 4th quarter behind previous Sun Kelly Oubre Jr., who got the start with LaMelo Ball out.

Durant, who had actually just played 19 minutes in the very first 3 quarters, returned to the start the 4th quarter and started to take over.

He struck a 17-footer off a ball phony, drawing a nasty to establish a three-point play. The 15-year veteran appeared to discover his groove from there, tearing down 3 more mid-range jumpers to press the cause 12 and completed with 9 points in the 4th quarter.

Reporting by The Associated Press.

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